Weaving a World Without Violence: Transformative Possibilities will be a place for attendees to think critically about approaches to ending sexual violence; to re-imagine current mainstream responses, programs, and policies from a transformative justice lens; and to explore grassroots community alternatives to sexual violence intervention and prevention.

The Social Justice Center Board of Directors announces with regret the resignation of the Center’s Executive Director, Angelica Clarke, due to personal and family commitments. Angelica became our Director during an exciting time for the SJC and has helped to maintain and build our role in creating social justice in the Capital Region and beyond. When she began, Angelica received a warm welcome by our community of supporters. During her time as ED, Angelica received the prestigious Edna Award for Social Justice. We are proud of her accomplishments and look forward to following what is sure to be her exciting career path. Please join us in wishing her all the best on her journey now.

While we prepare to search for a new ED, all calendar events of our member groups will continue as scheduled. However, there will be no scheduled open drop-in hours. Meeting with the Board will be by appointment only. If you have any questions, comments, or inquiries about using our space, please feel free to contact the Board at info@albanysocialjusticecenter.org. Thank you for your continued support of the Albany Social Justice Center.

The Social Justice Center had a wonderful year. This time of year, we always reflect back on our year and want to make sure you know what we have been up to! Our member groups keep the SJC thriving, as does your continued support.

Our community is responding to the dangers of a Trump presidency using the experience and resources developed through years of community-building, organization-building, and action against white and male supremacy, homo- and transphobia, gender-based violence, economic injustice, mass incarceration, police violence, war, and other forms of injustice and oppression.

Bring a Friend! Bring a Dish! Bring ideas to share with your community. There will be a small silent auction.
DONATIONS ACCEPTED

We have a great panel lined up of folks across generations!

Who Are Our Panelists?
Anzala Alozie is a Social Change Agent and Advocate in the Capital District.

Taína Asili is a Puerto Rican activist, singer, songwriter and bandleader based in Albany, NY.

Xavier Cruz is a Bethlehem High School student and member of Capital Area Against Mass Incarceration.

Carmen Rau is the Executive Director of Holding Our Own, Inc. the women’s foundation of New York’s Capital Region.

Barbara Smith is an author, activist, and independent scholar who is a pioneer of Black Feminism.

Jaya Sundaresh is a writer and community activist based in Schenectady, NY.

Recent political events have placed the mission of the University at Albany – to enhance diversity and inclusion while maintaining safety of our campus community – under threat. We, the undersigned members of the UAlbany community, ask you to take action toward developing and maintaining an environment that is safe and supportive for students, faculty, staff, alumni and their families of different races, religious backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, disabilities, and immigration statuses. Across the country, over 100 colleges and universities are committing to the security and safety of their communities, particularly for students benefiting from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), by becoming Sanctuary Campuses. We believe that joining this national movement would reaffirm our university’s stated mission. In what follows, we outline concrete steps that need to be taken in order for the University at Albany to become a Sanctuary Campus.

The incoming administration has promised to deport undocumented immigrants within its first 100 days with unprecedented urgency. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials are subject to certain restrictions when they enter college campuses and churches without a warrant (https://www.ice.gov/doclib/ero-outreach/pdf/10029.2-policy.pdf). By demanding that ICE obey existing laws, the University at Albany is in a unique position to protect undocumented students who comprise nearly 6% of our student population.

Steps need to be taken to protect the members of our community who are facing discrimination and hate crimes. Now more than ever, the university must heavily invest in generating a diverse community that promotes inclusion in order to create a safe and productive learning environment. Furthermore, our commitment to the safety of our students must extend beyond our campus and reach into the broader Capital District. We urge the University at Albany to support the efforts of organizations led by groups whose rights and missions will be adversely targeted by the incoming administration’s policies.

There’s so much work to be done in the wake of the election of Donald Trump. One thing that we find heartening is that folks are fortifying themselves with knowledge of past movements, ongoing work and the systems of oppression that helped create our current conditions. We have found this reading list to be pretty good, and know that our community could add so much to it.